Wellington’s Jake Whitaker can possibly be beaten for the national Moto Trials championship title this year by just one man … himself.

The extremely-talented 21-year-old Kiwi international has won the premier title at the New Zealand Moto Trials Championship for each of the past five years and title No.6 beckons at the 2012 edition, set to run in the South Island over three days of Labour Weekend.

But, as is the nature of this sport, his title defence rides on a knife edge and just a momentary lapse could see his title hopes slip away.

Fortunately for Whitaker, he has very few equals in this part of the world.

He collected his third consecutive Moto Trials Championship crown in Australia in September, making him a multiple and reigning champion on both sides of the Tasman.

With this branch of motorcycling sport, the emphasis is not on speed but surviving the balancing act without falling off, like walking a tightrope with a dirt bike. The prime aim is to conquer the extreme terrain without touching feet on the ground or falling off. Points are lost for these “faults” and a rider with the lowest score wins.

Whitaker’s rivals in the Expert Grade include Nelson’s Karl Clark (pictured above), Rotorua’s John Haynes, Invercargill’s Bradley Hibbs, Tauranga’s Phillip Shilton and Dunedin’s Blake Fox.

Others to watch for over the weekend include Invercargill’s Jason Hibbs, Lower Hutt’s Carl Robson and Tauranga’s Corey Davies in the A Grade.

The Intermediate Grade should feature riders such as Te Awamutu’s Colin Downs, Pukekohe’s Robert Williamson, Canterbury’s Ashley Halder, Auckland’s Peter Boettcher, Kaikoura’s David Trewin and Tauranga father and son pair of Kevin and Jacob Gundry.

The first two days of competition on Saturday and Sunday are set for McGregor’s property, Chapman Road, Central Otago, while day three will have a course laid out on Robert’s property, signposted off Blackman Road. All venues will be signposted from Earnscleugh Road, not far from Alexandra.

Spectator entry is free and competition begins each day at about 10am.

© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com